NBA notebook: Embiid undergoes orbital bone surgery

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid underwent surgery on Saturday to repair the fractured orbital bone around his left eye.

The 76ers reportedly believe Embiid can return as quickly as two weeks, which means they would have their All-Star center back early in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Philadelphia (45-30) has already clinched a berth and is battling the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers in hopes of securing home-court advantage in the first round. The playoffs are set to begin April 14.

Embiid was originally diagnosed with facial contusions following a collision with rookie guard Markelle Fultz in Wednesday night's win over the New York Knicks.

--Recently retired NBA stars Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash were selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

Maurice Cheeks, a four-time NBA All-Star in the '80s, legendary college coach Lefty Driesell and college/WNBA greats Katie Smith and Tina Thompson were also selected, along with longtime NBA/ABA star Charlie Scott, European star and former Boston Celtic Dino Radja, executives Rick Welts and Rod Thorn and Ora Mae Washington, who starred during 1930s and 40s in winning 11 consecutive Women's Colored Basketball World Championships.

--John Wall finally returned to the Washington Wizards' lineup against the Charlotte Hornets, registering 15 points and 14 assists in 33 minutes in a 107-93 Wizards win.

Wall had missed 27 games since undergoing left knee surgery in late January. Washington was 15-12 in those contests.

Within the last week, Wall began taking part in full-contact practices. He joined the team for a trip to Detroit on Thursday and was listed as questionable, but did not play.

--San Antonio Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard is once again rehabilitating his injured quadriceps in New York with outside medical personnel, ESPN reported.

Leonard arrived in New York on Monday and has been working out at the gymnasium inside the headquarters of the NBA Players Association. He also made an extended trip to New York earlier this year as he attempts to heal a troublesome right quadriceps that he hurt in October.

The Spurs reportedly sent team staff members to New York to monitor Leonard's progress. However, time is running out for a return in the regular season with San Antonio down to six games to play.

--New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis posted a video on multiple social media channels saying he was ready to "make a drastic change in my life" and do "something I've been thinking about for awhile."

He then grabbed shaving cream and a razor and reached toward his signature unibrow, when the camera mysteriously flipped away. It returned to show Davis seemingly unibrowless, saying, "Big moment. New AD, new brow. Let's get it."

However, with the video coming out on April Fool's Eve, some aren't buying it. Several Twitter sleuths posited that Davis is simply pulling a stunt as part of a marketing campaign. The towel Davis is holding, adorned with Red Bull logos, fits that theory.

--The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without guard George Hill in Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks because of a sprained left ankle.

Hill was injured during Friday night's win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half and did not return after scoring eight points in 22 minutes.

The team announced that the 31-year-old Hill would receive an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. A lengthier absence has not been ruled out.

--Los Angeles Lakers small forward Brandon Ingram was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol after being injured Friday night.

Ingram will miss Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings.

Ingram left Friday's 124-122 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter. He later returned during overtime before exiting again with what the team termed a bruised neck muscle.

--Field Level Media